Glossary of Cricket Terms

Maiden 1. n. an over in which no runs are scored.
2. adj. describing an over in which no runs are scored.

Maker's Name 1. n. colloqiaully, the front blade of a cricket bat, so called because it usually has a large logo indicating the manufacturer, usually referred to when the batsman has played a good straight shot. The batsman showed the maker's name to that ball.

Man Of The Match 1. n. a player, from either side, chosen by an appointed official after a match as making the most outstanding achievements during the match, and usually awarded a small prize.
2. adj. describing the award given to a man of the match.
3. adj. describing a performance worthy of winning a man of the match award.

Manhattan 1. n. a graphic representing the number of runs scored per over of an innings in a bar graph, so named because it frequently resembles a city skyline.

Mankad 1. n. a run out of the non-striker performed by the bowler during his run up and before bowling the ball, if the non-striker happens to leave his crease too early when trying to back up.
2. v.t. to run out the non-striker in this method.

Match Referee 1. n. the official who administrates a professional cricket match,
deciding on penalties for unfair play and misconduct by the players.

Medium Pace 1. adj. describing a bowler who bowls at a moderate speed, faster than a spin bowler, but not as fast as a pace bowler. He is a medium pace bowler.
2. adj. describing the style of bowling in which swing, seam, and/or cut is used to attempt to take wickets, but the ball is not bowled more slowly than the fastest pace bowlers. He is proficient at medium pace bowling.

Mid Off 1. n. fielding position on the off side, about 60-75 degrees forward of square, a position designed to prevent runs from off drives, and defensive strokes on the off side; fielding position between cover and the bowler's wicket.
2. n. a fielder fielding in the mid off position.

Mid On 1. n. fielding position on the leg side, about 60-75 degrees forward of square, a position designed to prevent runs from on drives, and defensive strokes on the on side; fielding position between midwicket and the bowler's wicket.
2. n. a fielder fielding in the mid on position.

Midwicket 1. n. fielding position on the leg side, about 30-45 degrees forward of square, a position designed to either catch the ball from a misplaced pull shot, or to prevent runs from on drives, and defensive strokes on the on side; fielding position between square leg and mid on.
2. n. a fielder fielding in the midwicket position.

Minefield 1. n. a pitch which has dried out, crumbled, and deteriorated badly, usually after a few days of play, and which is conducive to very irregular and unpredictable spin(2), making it extremely difficult to bat against spin bowling. cf. turner.